Agendas & Minutes

Members

The Authority's 7 member Board of Directors is appointed by the City Council for 4 year terms.

Michael Novotny, Chairman

Erik Pelton, Vice Chairman

Edward Saltzberg

Brian Williams

Robert Young

John Sandoz

Rachelle Barimany

Staff Liaison

Becky Witsman

City Council Liaisons

Council Member Letty Hardi

Planning Commission Liaisons

Melissa Teates

Overview

The City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority was created to advise City Council on economic development issues and proposals and to perform a wide range of functions authorized by Virginia statute. The EDA provides community education programs, conducts research, purchases, leases and sells property, provides tax exempt financing, and supports projects and programs that promote business and investment in the city.

In recent years, the EDA has hired consulting experts to complete a retail market study, a retail recruitment strategy, and a Big Picture Study of economic trends impacting the city. The EDA has hosted a series of educational forums examining retail trends, the hotel industry and markets, mixed use development, urban planning for higher density development, and other timely topics. The EDA has provided City Council with recommendations on each major new development proposal in Falls Church City with a special focus on fiscal impact as measured by the Cost Revenue Impact Model created by consultants Tischler Bise in 2002 with EDA funding.

Branding Initiative: "The Little City"

One recent goal of the Economic Development Authority was to develop a "brand" for the City of Falls Church. The purpose of the project is "to make it easier for people and businesses who want the Falls Church community-based lifestyle to find it." To assist in the project, the EDA retained the Falls Church marketing firm of SmithGifford Communications to provide brand development services. "The Little City" branding project was presented in early December 2009.

Video Posted
Video from the November 2, 2015 Economic Development Authority meeting is now available online. A consultant gave a special presentation about how the City’s Fiscal Impact Model works, and how it will be updated and upgraded. Watch the video on YouTube, or below.